Protests erupted outside Khandagiri police station on Saturday as residents of Patrapada’s Ward 65 staged a gherao (encirclement protest), alleging that police had filed false cases and wrongfully arrested locals following a violent clash during the Ganesh idol immersion procession.
The unrest stems from an incident reported on August 31, when two groups clashed during Ganesh idol immersion in Patrapada village. The clash is believed to have been fuelled by an old enmity between the groups. At least four people were injured and rushed to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and Capital Hospital. Officers intervened to restore order and later registered cases against several individuals.
Residents accused the police of targeting innocent community members instead of the real perpetrators, politically motivated action by including the Ward 65 corporator’s name in the FIR and using arrests to intimidate the locality rather than ensure justice.
Placard-holding protestors staged a sit-in outside the police station, chanting slogans and demanding an impartial probe and immediate withdrawal of the cases.
While the police have not officially commented on the allegations, officers confirmed that arrests were made to prevent escalation and maintain law and order in the area.
Additional police forces were deployed across Patrapada and nearby areas to prevent any flare-ups. As of Saturday evening, the protest was still continuing, with police monitoring the situation closely.
